AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8406, 22 April 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FINANCES ADELAIDE, April 20. The State Treasurer has announced thut he expects the financial year to end with a surplus of nearly £200,000. THE ST. JOSEPH - WHANGAROA COLLISION. SYDNEY., April 20. The Italian barque St. Joseph,from Rio de Janeiro, with which the scow Whangaroa,collided off Sydney Beads —the Wha'ngaroa being towed into Sydney in a crippled condition—has arrived at Newcastle. The only evidences of collision are scratches on the plates and a smashed starboard light. The 'captain states that lights were burning at the time of the collision. He saw no lights on the other vessel, which bore down suddenly. Both captains, he adds, held their vessels off, thus minimising the impact. The other vessel appeared to want no assistance. (The Whangaroa, a New Zealand timber trader, complains that the St. Joseph continued on her course without asking if the scow needed assistance.) ' THE WILLYAMA. ADELAIDE, April 19. Attempts to tow off the steamer Willyama, which is ashore at Marion Bay,* with a rock through the forepeak, are unavailing.

A LEPROUS RAT. MELBOURNE, April 20. A dead rat has been found infected with leprosy. This is the first instance of the kind since one was found at Odessa in 1903. The bacilli of leprosy correspond in every way with those found in human beings, but the communicability of the disease from rats to human beings or other animals has not been demonstrated. How the rat reached Melbourne is a mystery. A NARROW ESCAPE. SYDNEY, April 20. A fire destroyed the Villa Maria Convent School at Hunter Hill. Five Sisters and eight pupils barely escaped in their night attire. LIQUOR LAW AND CLUBS. SYDNEY, April 20. The Attorney-General states that twelve months of experience of the Liquor Act has confirmed the vis,ws held when Parliament was imposing conditions on sporting clubs. The effect has been to wipe out a number of undesirable clubs.

MOTOR BOAT RACE. Received April 20, 7.55 p.m. SYDNEY, April 20. In the champion motor boat race Fairbanks' 15-horse power motor boat covered 11 miles in 3lmin 22 sec, defeating the Invincible (60horse power) by four minutes. CRICKET. Received April 20, 7.55 p.m. MELBOURNE, April 20. The Board of Control has furtherconsidered the question of financing , the English team that it is proposed ' shall visit Australia. It was decided to forward the following cable to the Marylebone Club:—The Board will allow the Marylebone Club half the gross takings of the ground only with a guarantee that such half shall equal £IO,OOO. Received April 22, 1.46 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 21. The Board of Control, in guaranteeing the Marylebone Cricket Club £IO,OOO, was to some extent guided by- past expenses. The expenses in connection with Warner's team amounted to £9,700, and as much unnecessary expense on that occasion was admittedly entailed through the manager's want of Australian experience, it was considered that the present guarantee ought to prove satisfactory. THE COAL LUMPERS' STRIKE. Received April 22, 1.32 a.m. ( SYDNEY, April 21. There is practically no change in the coal lumpers' difficulty. Both sides maintain a confident attitude. A few more men have signed the new agreement, which, amongst other things, provides for seven days' written notice of termination by the other side. There is by no means any rush to fill the places of the strikers. Many of those who signed on the previous day failed to turn up, consequently the coaling of the China steamer Tsinan could not be commenced. Additional arrivals early in the incoming week will intensify the situation. Received April 22, 1.38 a.m. SYDNEY, April 21. The Secretary of the Steam Colliers' Association states that if it becomes Jnecessary, labour will be obtained from othev States. DEATH OF A SWAGGER. Received April 22, 1.38 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 21. A swagger named William Panton was found near Kyneton terribly wounded in the head and died in the Hospital. The deceased and a younger man, who is unknown, were seen on the previous day camping together. His clothes were covered with blood. There are indications of a desperate struggle at the camp. Panton's mate has disappeared.

€ABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright, SCULLING. Eeceived April 22, 1.32 a.m. SYDNEY, April 21. Fogwell has challenged Arnst (New Zealand) to row him early in July for £IOO or £2OO a-side. He has put up a deposit. REFLOATED. Received April 22, 1.36 a.m. BRISBANE, April 21. The Fortunatus has been refloated, and was expected to reach Sourabaya yesterday. No details are available. UNVERSITY SENATE. Rceeived April 22, 1.46 a.m. SYDNEY April 21. There was much interest in the election to fill the vacancy on the University Senate owine to*a determined movement to secure a lady representative. Mr Leverrier was elected to the position. The lady candidate was a bad third.